By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC - Host Dowagiac hopes to make it two straight on Saturday when Niles, Buchanan and Edwardsburg come to town.
The Chieftain girls' varsity soccer team will try to win its second straight Dowagiac Early Bird Tournament championship as it takes on Edwardsburg in the opening round at 10 a.m.
In the other first round game, to be held at Southwestern Michigan College, Niles will face Buchanan.
The winners advance to the championship match at the high school - scheduled for noon. The third place game will take place at the same time at Southwestern Michigan College.
Dowagiac defeated Edwardsburg in the championship match in 2004, 1-0.
The Chieftains reached the finals with a 5-0 victory over Buchanan in the opening round. Edwardsburg made it to the finals with a 3-0 victory over Niles.
Dowagiac outshot Edwardsburg 16-9 in the title match. Ashley Caldwell scored the lone goal off an assist from Ashley Brewer.
The quick start by the Chieftains were a sign of things to come as Dowagiac went on to win the school's first-ever district championship.